Alcon april 14

VILLAGER The

Issue 25 - April 2014

and Town

Life

LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

Inside this issue

Cashback today?

Cashback Websites

Wildlife

Through the years

Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month

ur Yo EE y FRcop

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Contents Huntingdonshire Regional College

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VILLAGER The

and Town

Issue 25 - April 2014

Life

LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

Inside this issue

Cashback today?

Cashback Websites

Wildlife

Through the years

Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month

r

u E Ey FRcop

Yo

Children’s Page.......................................................22 The Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle......................23 Puzzle Page............................................................24 What’s On...............................................................26 Prize Crossword......................................................28 Book Review..........................................................30 Classifieds..............................................................30

Would You Like Any Cashback Today?.......................4

Chocolate Ripple Cheesecake

Competition Time.....................................................6

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Take The Opportunity To Gain New Skills................10 Financial Settlements On Divorce...........................12 What Keeps You Awake At Night?...........................15 Bank Holidays........................................................18 Seasonal Delights...................................................21

7,000 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Covington, Dillington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall, Riseley, Shelton, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean (We also have over 150 distribution points, including pubs, garages, most shops, post offices, Supermarket Chains in all of the above as well as in Huntingdon, Lt Staughton, Grafham Water Visitor Centre’s and Kimbolton)

Editorial - Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Tamara Glanvill Ted Bruning and Tony Larkins Advertising Sales - Justine Miller- 07905 063211 justine@villagermag.com Photography - Ufuk Zivana Design and Artwork Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

Three Counties Radio

Would you like any cashback today?

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

The internet has of course brought some unwanted problems, but it has also brought some incredible benefits to us consumers. One of those benefits is the creation of ‘Cashback’ websites. Gosh I love them! In fact, I frequently bore people senseless telling them about the importance of logging on and saving ££££ on your purchases.

If you haven’t come across the likes of ‘Quidco’ or ‘TopCashback’ before, let me explain how they work: Cashback websites pay you a cash fee when purchasing goods or services via their website. The amount of cashback is generally a percentage of the total you spend with the retailer.

They tend to make their fee from the companies that they suggest on their site. Many of these are well known high street branches, some are lesser known retailers.

They normally transfer the cashback you’ve earned directly into your bank account as soon as they receive it. So it’s a win win for the consumer.

They also provide voucher codes for thousands of retailers so you can gain discounts at the online checkout.

All you have to do is: 1. Register with one or more cashback site.

2. When you decide you want to make an online purchase of a product or service, log into the cashback site, search the cashback rates available and follow the link to the company’s website.

3. Make the purchase, and wait for the cashback to arrive in your bank account (it normally takes at least a few weeks and should be tracked automatically).

Let me give you a couple of examples (chosen at random at the time of writing): It’s time to renew your car insurance. You get some online quotes and find that Tesco Insurance is offering you the best deal. You could of course just take out a policy with them directly on their website. That would be fairly silly though, because by going to Tesco Insurance via a cashback website, you would receive a cashback lump sum payment of £75 after completing the purchase. By going to them directly, you would have missed out on a £75 saving.

You need a new washing machine. You find one you like at Currys. Again, you could just purchase it directly on the Currys website, but by going via a cashback website like Quidco or TopCashBack, you would stand to make 2% cashback on the total purchase price. That would be £8 back on a £400 washing machine.

Better than a slap round the face with a wet fish eh?!

You can make additional money by referring your friends and relatives to the sites as well.

I always say that you don’t get anything in this world for free. So how do the companies that offer the cashback benefit from this? Well, they gain because you’re more likely to buy from the retailers that are listed with those cashback sites.

The important thing is to remember to use the site. Whichever online purchase you need to make: flights, insurance, electrical goods, perfume, clothes, wine or groceries, always go via a cashback website and start saving. I always remember and since I started using cashback websites 2 years ago and have already made £237.38. So go get yourself some free cashback!

Jonathan Vernon-Smith not only offers you his consumer advice here but you can listen to The JVS Show tackling your consumer problems every weekday morning from 9am.

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Large selection of contemporary gas fires, marble & stone surrounds

NO CHIMNEY? NO PROBLEM!

We supply & install Stovax Twin Wall Flue Systems

Please contact us for a FREE survey Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday - Closed

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Unit 7 Orion Way, The Constellations, Kettering Business Park, Kettering NN15 6NL Email: admin@colesforfires.co.uk www.colesforfires.co.uk

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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Competition

Competition Time Solve this easy quiz and win a copy of ‘Wildlife through the Year’ signed by the author.

Find the answer to each of these 7 questions, then take the initial letter(s) from each answer and put them in the stated order to make a 9-letter word.

1 & 6. This bird sings in late winter and early spring, often from the topmost twigs of a tall tree and has the nickname ‘Storm Cock’ because it often sings even on very windy days.

2.

This native plant is a climber, often seen on trees and walls, and has greenand-yellow flowers in late autumn and black-coloured berries in winter.

3 & 7. Despite its name, this low-growing native plant with purple or pinkish flowers is unrelated to 2, but is related to Catmint and Selfheal.

4.

Voted Britain’s National Bird, it is here throughout the year and is featured on many Christmas cards.

5.

Britain’s only venomous snake, sometimes called the Viper.

6.

See 1.

7.

See 3.

8.

In George Ellis’s rhyme, this month is said to be ‘Breezy‘, following ‘Droppy’ and preceding ‘Sneezy.’

9.

The song of this scarce bird is said to resemble a distant two-stroke engine, it is camouflaged to look like a piece of wood and has lots of strange nicknames, such as ‘Goatsucker’ and ‘Flying Toad.’

The 9-letter word is a natural phenomenon. What is it?

Send your answer by post to Wildlife Competition, The Villager Magazine, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP or by e-mail to nigel@villagermag.com The closing date is 18th April 2014. The winner will be the sender of the first correct answer selected at random by the Editor on the closing date.

(If you don’t win, you can buy a copy for £9.95 from your local bookshop (quote ISBN 978-1-291-66252-8) or for £9.95 + £1.80 p&p from Wildlife book, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ.) 6

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NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE?

We are probaby bigger than you think!

Collect a FREE bag of compost when you spend over £20 with this advert! *

*50 litre RRP £3.95

We are a traditional, friendly garden centre specialising in...

Specimen trees & shrubs Conifers & bamboo Home grown bedding Pots and planters

QUALITY

VALUE

VARIETY

PARKHALL

OR GIVE US A SCAN

GARDEN CENTRE WE ARE EASY TO FIND Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-4pm Come into Somersham, turn into Parkhall Road (opposite the band stand), follow road over hump back bridge for half a mile into the countryside

Tel 01487 840397 www parkhallgardencentre.co.uk Sat Nav Somersham PE28 3HW *This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers

Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Mano Bird seed & Established for over 50 years Family run business Arguably the best selection of wild bird products in 3 counties Committed to Quality Products and Service Easy to find – Brington is just 1 mile away from Junction 16 on A14 Large car parking space One UK’s best known bird food suppliers Manor Farm Granaries Brand Bird Food manufactured on site.

• Dog foods

• Chicken food pellets mash scratching mix mixed corn and large selection requisites

• Cat foods • Small pets Food

• Insect and wildlife habitats

• Pond food

• Insect study kits

• Pigeon Food and requisites

• Great selection of countryside greeting cards.

• Cage and Aviary Bird Food and requisites

• Country side calendars

• Wild bird Food Food and requisites

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• Animal bedding Straw hay Shavings small packs and large bales

• Selection of local honey and Very yummy jams & pickles very yummy I have tried most of them.

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nor Farm Country Store

Open

aturday onday through S M pm 00 5. to 9.00am y 4.00pm on Sunda to m 0a .0 10 d an

• Rolls of Wire for aviaries chickens etc • Great prices on a good selection of Coal, logs kindling. Best prices for miles.

• Bird tables • Bird houses • Confectionary/sweets & soft Drinks • Potatoes various bag sizes and onions

Brington, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 5AF Tel : 01832 710235 Email:sales@manorfarmbirdseed.co.uk

www.manorfarmbirdseed.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

Education

Take the opportunity to gain new skills!

Huntingdonshire Regional College offers a wide range of part-time professional courses that will help you gain new skills to further your career or retrain to start a completely new career. They offer courses at a variety of different levels, from Level 1 up to Higher National Diplomas, to allow you to learn from the beginning and go right up to higher education study.

Their training takes place in professional working environments such as workshops and salons that are fully equipped with industry standard equipment, furthermore, their expert tutors have extensive industry experience and knowledge to ensure you achieve your qualification goals and ambitions.

Huntingdonshire Regional College understands the importance of balancing your study with work, family and other commitments, that’s why they run their courses at a variety of different times throughout the day, including during working hours, in the evening and even through distance learning.

The College has achieved record success rates, alongside a growing reputation with business and

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training in the workplace, showing that they are fast becoming an exceptional place to study.

If you are aged 24 or over and starting a Level 3 course, or higher, on or after the 31st August 2014, you may be entitled to a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan to help you pay the tuition fees and you won’t have to pay anything back until your annual income is over £21k.

For further information please call 01480 379106 or visit www.huntingdon.ac.uk Part-time college courses. Your opportunity to succeed!

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We are a local family run business with over 30 years experience specialising in soft furnishings and bespoke curtains all hand crafted, supplied and fitted at competitive prices.

For a home consultation and free no obligation quotation please call Dawson or Kevin on 01480 367007 or 01234 708461

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Family Law

Financial Settlements on Divorce

By Tamara Glanvill Solicitor at Woolley & Co, Bedford www.family-lawfirm.co.uk

The devil is in the detail. Never is this phrase so true as when drawing up a financial settlement as part of a divorce.

The financial settlement, enshrined in a Consent Order from the court, can cover a huge range of issues, such as what will happen to any property, pension entitlement, how the bank accounts are divided up and what happens to any savings or debts and how much (if any) maintenance should be paid.

Without an experienced family lawyer to advise and make the agreement water-tight, you might be lulled into a false sense of security, or end up with some additional costs or last minute negotiations with an ex. In the current climate we are seeing more people deciding to represent themselves in a bid to save a bit of money on solicitor’s fees, but more people are falling foul of loopholes, ultimately costing themselves more money.

The settlement needs to be both legally binding and practical. Once a Consent Order has been approved by the Court, it cannot be renegotiated through the court system, so be 12

sure you have covered everything before signing off on it.

A Consent Order is not a pro forma. It is tailored to your situation and can include as much detail as you want. Think of it as an insurance policy, but one where you dictate the small print before agreeing to the policy.

Increasingly we are meeting people who have agreed the terms of separation, but haven’t had it drawn up or approved by a Court – this means that there is no financial settlement, and either party can come back and renegotiate at a later date, sometimes decades later.

My advice is simply this – get advice from a qualified lawyer. Know the risks and negotiate with full information. Have your agreement drawn up properly. That way you can move on to the next phase of your life without worry.

For your free 30 minute consultation, contact Tamara Glanvill at Woolley and Co 0845 6802136.

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Are you in pain?

Chiropractic so often the answer • Back, Hip and Leg Pain • Headaches, Migraines • Cranial Therapy • Sinuses • Neck, Arm and Shoulder Pain • Muscle Ligament and Tendon Injuries • Paediatric Care

Brampton Chiropractic Clinic 84 High Street, Brampton PE28 4TH DR NEIL BROE, DC and Assoc

01480 436435

10% discount on initial visit www.neilbroechiropractor.co.uk BUPA and PPP registered Also at: Manor Lodge, Barham Road, Buckworth PE28 5AQ Tel 01480 891539 Registered with the General Chiropractic Council Members of the British Chiropractic Association Over 30 years experience

Relationship at breaking point?

Caring, confidential legal advice about: • Divorce & separation • Cohabitation

• Financial settlements • Child contact & residence

Visit www.family-lawfirm.co.uk or email tamara.glanvill@family-lawfirm.co.uk Local meetings arranged at a time and place to suit you.

FREE

half hour telephone appointment

Call locally based family and divorce specialist Tamara Glanvill on 0845 680 2136 (local rate) Woolley & Co is a member of the Law Society and authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

Head office: Warwick Enterprise Park, Wellesbourne, Warwick. CV35 9EF

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At ADR Care Homes we pride ourselves in providing a home from home.

Long & short term stays Day care available Dignity & privacy respected Spacious lounges Large, well maintained gardens Professional 24 hour care Nutritious meals Regular activities provided

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106 Cambridge Street St Neots Cambs PE19 1PL Tel: 01480 476868d

Please visit our website, www.adrcare.co.uk

You are welcome to come and see for yourselves by contacting our Home Manager or just pop in.

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Beacon Wealth

What Keeps You Awake At Night?

By Tony Larkins

Isn’t it strange that we can go to bed feeling tired, after perhaps watching television or reading a book, but just as we lie there our mind starts to think about a problem we have, be that the children, health or money.

It is only when we relax and stop thinking about what we are doing that our subconscious comes to the fore.

We lay there analysing the problem, looking at it in different ways, and sometimes we even come up with a solution.

In the morning we have either totally forgotten about the problem, which has now been pushed to the back of our minds, or realise the solution actually does not work when you apply conscious logic. If your problem ever involves money, a good financial planner should be consulted.

At the moment we are seeing a large number of individuals with low return cash ISAs who want to switch into an equity ISA with potential for double digit growth. We are also seeing individuals concerned about pension income, who still have their money in a with-profit fund, usually growing at less than 2% p.a - a fifth of stock market growth. Other than the usual year end rush for ISAs and pensions, tax is becoming an issue for high earners with good pensions.

The Government reduction to the size of a pension fund and how much can be paid in each year, is

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Tony Larkins CFP APFS Managing Director IFA Chartered and Certified Financial Planner

expected to result in up to 60,000 paying more tax than they need to. However, based on our enquiries and client profiles, I expect the number to be much higher.

Fortune magazine (Source: 17/03/2014) said “see the world not for what is it, but for what it could be.”

If a higher return, less tax and a structured investment plan would help you, then seek advice from a good financial planner. As I have said before, look for CFP or APFS after their name and ask if they are certified or chartered; either should be okay.

If you have strong beliefs in ethical investing then ask what experience the adviser has. Our ethical portfolios are proving very positive.

If we have concerns over our health we speak to a doctor, if it is our children, we speak to them, so why is it so difficult to talk about your finances to an adviser/ planner? We provide impartial, independent advice, and things are seldom as bad as you think.

Don’t we all deserve a good nights sleep and an uncluttered subconscious mind? – Sleep tight.

You should always seek qualified advice from an IFA, preferably a Certified (CFP) or Chartered Financial PlannerCM (APFS). If you have a financial question, e-mail: tlarkins@beaconwealth.co.uk

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History

Bank Holidays

By Ted Bruning

I don’t know – you wait for weeks and weeks for a day off work and then four come along all at once.

And I blame the Pope.

He is, after all, the man who decides the date of Easter. This year it’s on 20 April – which is almost as late as it can be and means that we have four Bank Holidays (Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Spring Bank Holiday – except in Scotland – and the May Bank Holiday) within the space of six weeks. So if you like your precious days off well spread out, you might ask the Pope: why is Easter so late this year?

And he’ll tell you the following: “The date is calculated thuswise. The ancient Jewish feast of Pesach or Passover, for reasons best known to ancient Jewish people, falls on the full moon on or immediately after the vernal equinox.

The Last Supper was held on Passover, or so it says in the New Testament; the Crucifixion took place on the following Friday; so ipso facto the Resurrection – which is why we have Easter – was on the first Sunday after the full moon that followed the vernal equinox. Which this year happens to be on 20 April.

Geddit?” Got it.

But the dates of public holidays have always been contentious, with various people having various reasons for wanting them shifted. Some don’t want them at all: patriots to the bone they may be, but many industrialists really didn’t like the Government awarding us extra hols for the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. “Two days’ lost production!” they wailed.

“That’ll cost us a bomb!” On the other hand the retailers of beer and bunting were over the moon.

Bank Holidays, you’d think, would be fairly firmly fixed. Not a bit of it. Until 1834 the Bank of England used to observe all 33 Roman Catholic Holy Days of Obligation. “This is daft!” said the directors eventually, and cut it to four – Good Friday, May Day, All Saints (1 November), and Christmas Day. But come on, that wasn’t enough. So in 1871 the Bank Holidays Act added Easter Monday, Whit Monday (the seventh Monday after Easter), the first Monday in August (instead of All Saints), and Boxing Day. And for nearly a century that seemed to suit. We all went on charabanc excursions to the seaside or (if posh) had long weekends in the country or just stayed home and sorted the garden, and until 1965 we were very happy. That year, the August Bank Holiday was moved to the end of the month.

In 1971 Whit Monday, the last moveable feast apart from Easter, was fixed as the last Monday in May. In 1975 Harold Wilson made New Year’s Day a Bank Holiday in England and Wales (it already was one in Scotland); and in 1978 Jim Callaghan, dyed in the wool leftie that he was (!) made May Day – which had been left out of the 1871 Act – official.

Now the tinkerers are out in force again. Some want national Saints’ days – St David’s Day and St Piran’s Day (is Cornwall a nation? You decide) in March, St George’s Day in April, St Andrew’s Day in November – to be made official holidays. There’s also a move to scrap one or other of the May Bank Holidays and move it to October to mark Trafalgar Day. Someone even proposed a Margaret Thatcher Day…I’ll say no more!

Pope Francis seems happy about the forthcoming bank holidays.

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WOOD GREEN Field Good Friday!

Easter Treasure Trail

18th April 2014, 11.00am – 3.00pm. Free entry

The trail will run from 18th April (Good Friday) to 21st April (Easter Monday). 10.00am – 4.00pm Easter Sunday (20th) – Free kids roast with every adult roast purchased for £6.95 Captain Jack Rabbit has been shipwrecked at Wood Green. Follow the clues around the centre to help find Captain Jack Rabbit’s treasure.

Come along to our very first Field Good Friday event and learn all about our field animals at Wood Green.

Try your hand at chicken agility Make feeding toys for our field animals Meet the Pygmy goats from ‘CBBCs Pet School 2’ Learn all about our horses and ask the experts Find out more about the goat and chickens and feed them some tasty treats Hobby horse racing Children’s activities Easter egg painting competition Wool spinning lessons A fun family day celebrating our fabulous field animals.

Animal rehoming Charity Shop Restaurant Pet & Gift Shop Children’s play area

For our full calendar of events and opening times for all our centres please visit our website

Call: 0844 248 8181 Visit: www.woodgreen.org.uk Or Email: info@woodgreen.org.uk

King’s Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH

Before VisitWGAS our new community www.beds-local.co.uk Villager 131w x 93h Alconbury.Kimbolton 3.14.indd

After 1

The Animals Charity Registered Charity No. 298348.

17/3/14 14:42:16 19

Bank Holiday

Monday Markets St Ives 21st April 5th and 26th May 25th August 8am ~ 3pm

Wide variety of stalls Children’s entertainment ~+~ Street food • Fabrics • Plants Knitwear • Bird tables • Jewellery Pet food • Handbags • Bread Fruit and Veg • Books • Olives • Fashions ~◊~

~ 5 minutes walk from the guided bus park and ride ~ www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/markets

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Food and Drink

Seasonal Delights Chocolate Ripple Cheesecake

This baked cheesecake is a must for chocolate lovers – it has a really rich flavour without being too sweet. It’s perfect to serve as a dessert or sweet treat over the Easter weekend as you can make it in advance. Keep the cooled cheesecake covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.

INGREDIENTS 225g digestive biscuits, finely crushed 75g unsalted butter, melted 1 tbsp cocoa powder 200g good quality plain chocolate, broken into pieces 400g soft cheese, such as Philadelphia 100g caster sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 3 medium eggs, beaten 300ml soured cream Cocoa powder to dust Chocolate sauce, to serve (optional) 1 Mix together the crushed biscuits, melted butter and cocoa powder and press evenly into the base of a well buttered 23cm round springform or deep fluted flan tin. Chill the base in the fridge.

Serves 10 Ready in 1 ½ hours, plus chilling and cooling

2 Preheat the oven to 170C, 325F, Gas 3. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water then remove from the heat and leave to cool for 10 minutes.

3 In a large bowl beat together the soft cheese, caster sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs then fold in the soured cream. Spoon about half the mixture over the chilled biscuit base.

4 Gently fold the melted chocolate into the remaining mixture (it will be quite thick) and drop spoonfuls of this mixture on top of the vanilla layer.

5 Using the blade of a thin knife gently swirl the chocolate mixture through the vanilla mixture.

Place the tin on a baking sheet and bake for 4555 minutes, until the filling has just set. Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake to cool in the oven.

6 Serve the cold cheesecake sliced, lightly dusted with cocoa powder and with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, if liked.

TIP - For a chocolate orange version add the zest and juice of ½ orange to the soft cheese mixture instead of the vanilla extract.

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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Local News

The Rotary Club Of Kimbolton Castle

On 28th February several Rotarians were invited to the children’s unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. The reason for our visit was to give them a donation for £6,316 for the purchase of four saturation monitors.

Now, you are probably wondering what a saturation monitor is.

There are some very poorly children in Hinchingbrooke and this medical equipment ensures that their vital life signs are closely monitored. The type of monitor that we have bought is portable which will enable the children – from babies to teenagers – to leave the high dependency unit at the hospital and be cared for in their own homes by their families. The monitors will let the parents know if anything is amiss by an alarm, so at the very least the stress and strain, (particularly at night) from fear of the children stopping breathing might be alleviated. In the unfortunate event that the carer or parent detects that something is wrong, by speaking to the hospital and letting

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them know the machine’s readings’, if necessary, their child can be re-admitted into hospital immediately.

The club has recently received a thank you from Great Staughton Academy for our donation of £500 which enabled them to purchase additional netbooks for the children to use is their classrooms.

How many of you managed to see to see the Panto’ staged by the Kimbolton Melodramatic Society in conjunction with Kimbolton Rotary Club? From the banter and raucous laughter it must be assumed that it was enjoyed by all that went. So a huge thank you to everyone that supported this fund-raising event and thanks also to all our sponsors.

We raised £900 which will all go to local and national charities.

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.

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FLOORED

By Ian

Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, vinyl, laminate or Karndean Free visits to estimate or advise.

Best prices and quality with a friendly service.

Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308 MLV Vintage 5th April Villager 62 x 93_Layout 1 16/03

DarlingsFair!

See you at the

trance

En p only 50d

an OAP ’S ’s free under 10

Come along and enjoy all things vintage and handmade. Vintage Collectables, vintage clothing and accessories.

Gorgeous handmade gifts all vintage inspired, kitchenalia, antique finds and so much more.

Traditional Cakes, Tea & Coffee served

10.00am till 4.00pm Saturday 5th April 2014 The Mandeville Hall

Find us on:

Thrapston Road,Kimbolton.Cambs.PE28 0HW My Little Vintage, 32 Broad Street, Earls Barton, Northampton. NN6 0ND Tel: 01604 812231 Email: jandschapper@yahoo.co.uk FUTURE FAIR DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 17th May & 22nd November at Nene Court, Wellingborough 22nd June at Granary Hotel, Fawsley 20th September at Earls Barton Methodist Church 20th July & 15/16th November at Bosworths Garden Centre, Burton Latimer

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n O s ’ t Wha 12 March-26 April Exhibition: Angela May Smith Wildlife Artist St Neots Museum, 8 New Street, St Neots An exhibition of dramatic animal portraits. Angela uses pastel crayons to translate her striking photographs of wild animals and birds onto paper, creating beautiful and unique works of art. Visit her website at www.angelamaysmith.com.

Tel: Liz Davies, Curator 01480 388921 or 01480 214 163 Email: curators@stneotsmuseum.org.uk 2 April Carers Connect Meeting 1-4pm Carers Trust Cambridgeshire, St Ives Carers Connect meetings are about giving carers a stronger voice. There will be speaker from Age UK, Better Health Network, Huntingdon District Council Leisure Team, Healthwatch and The Spinney Surgery.

If you would like to find out more about Carers Connect please contact Carers Trust Cambridgeshire.

Tel: 01480 499090 Email: care@carerstrustcambridgeshire.org Web: www.carerstrustcambridgeshire.org 2 April Ready or Not 7pm for 7:30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk entitled “Ready or Not - How prepared for war in 1914 was an Infantry Captain with 15 years’ service?” by Steve Warburton.

Non-members most welcome.

Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 5 April RAF Anniversary Concert 7.30pm Pathfinder House Civic Suite Tickets £10, Concessions £8

By RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band. Tickets available from: Don Barltrop Tel 01480 455210, Maureen Wigley Tel 01480 383898 or Huntingdon Town Hall.

5 April Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ 7.30pm Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester Tickets £7, Senior citizens £6, Children free Choirs and singers from the Huntingdon area will be combining in Godmanchester Parish Church to give a concert of music for the season of Lent, with Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ as the main item in the programme.

Tickets available on the door or in advance by telephone, email or after the Sunday 9.30am service.

Tel: Tickets Ken Diffey 01480 458846 Email: diffey@homecall.co.uk

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5 April Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm St Ives Free Church Local people selling hand-made crafts at very reasonable prices. Held on the first Saturday of each month. Charity tombola and free entry. For more details visit www.saintscrafters.blogspot.com 5 April Car Boot /Table Top Sale 10am-1pm The Stuart Memorial Hall Tempsford Pitches or Table Tops £5 in advance Come and sell some unwanted gifts /items.

Tel: Meryl 01767 649873 8, 15, 22 & 29 April Bridge Club 7.30-9.30pm Roxton Village Hall Tel: 01767 448526 Web: www.greatbarfordbowlsclub.org.uk

11 April Clairvoyant Evening Doors open 6.45pm Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden Village Hall, Wyboston Admission £4.50 With Lesley Parker and Caroline Tobin (two local Mediums). Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 11 April About Time (15) 7pm for 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Concessions £3, Under 16 £2 Kimbolton Community Cinema. Tickets from Watson’s, Dixi’s Deli, Bytes Café or on the door if available.

Tel: 01480 860297 for more information Web: http://e-voice.org.uk/themandevillehallkimbolton 13 April Cambridge Gliding Centre Open Day 10am-4pm Gransden Lodge Airfield Find out about the sport of gliding. All welcome.

Trial flights with our qualified instructors available on a first-come, first-fly basis. Refreshments. The airfield entrance is on the B1046 between Little Gransden & Longstowe, opposite Gransden Lodge Farm.

Web: http://www.glide.co.uk/ for more information 15 April Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Admission £6, including light refreshments The April meeting will comprise a short AGM, followed by a talk with slides on Wildlife Photography by Derek Henderson. There will also be some of his greetings cards on sale.

16 April Huntingdonshire Family History Society 7.30-9pm Women’s Institute Centre, Waldon Road, Huntingdon Non-members welcome - £1 donation appreciated ‘Was your ancestor a French prisoner of war’ by Paul Chamberlain. Web: www.huntsfhs.org.uk 18 April Children’s Easter Workshop 10.30am-12 noon St James’ Church, Little Paxton Fun for all children. Celebrate the real meaning of Easter. Songs, stories and craft. Pre-school children accompanied by an adult welcome 24 April St Neots & District Gardening Club 8pm St. Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, S t. Neots Members £2.00,Non-Members £2.50 which includes refreshments and a raffle ticket Meeting with Rodney Gibbs talking about Patio Gardening and Gardening in small.

Competition is ‘A decorated egg’.

25 April Annual Plant Sale 10am-noon Keysoe Village Hall Free admission Plants, cakes, bric-a-brac and books for sale. Tea and coffee will be available. All proceeds will be used to fund the running of the Keysoe Village Show (6th September). Any donations of items for sale will be gratefully received.

Tel: 01234 378878 for further details

26 April Live Acoustic Music Evening 7.30pm Comberton Sports & Arts Advance tickets: £7, Concessions £5, On the door £9, Concessions £7 Comberton Playground Project is pleased to welcome four very talented singer-songwriters for an evening of live acoustic music - GraceSarah, Just William and the Outlaws, Nicole Semerene-Foster and the headline act, Will Robert.

Comberton Playground Project is working to raise funds for the much-needed upgrade of Comberton playground.

Tel: Comberton Sports & Arts on 01223 264444 27 April & 10 May The Beautiful Bluebells of Brampton Wood 10.30am Brampton Wood Car Park, Grafham Road, Brampton (GR TL 184698) Suggested donations Adults £2, Children free The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust invites you to come and experience the delights of a carpet of bluebells in this ancient woodland.

You are welcome to share this enchanting scene by participating in one of two guided walks they are offering this year. George Cottam, Brampton Wood Warden, will lead the walks. Please park in the Trust car park.

Tel: George 01480 450809

25 April Table Top Sale 6pm Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden Village Hall, Wyboston Stalls £5 Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 26 April Rainbow of Hope 1.30-4.30pm Alconbury Memorial Hall Table tops and car boot spaces £5 each Table top sale, car boot sale, raffle, tombola, cake stall, jumble sale, books and lots, lots more. Book a table top to sell your crafts or advertise your business. Book a car boot to sell your pre-loved items. Booking is essential due to limited space.

Donations Wanted - cakes, books, bric-a-brac, bottles, raffle and tombola prizes.

Donations can be dropped to 25 Highfield Avenue, Alconbury Weston.

Fundraiser in aid of Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Woodlands Cancer Centre.

Tel: Helen 01480 896602 for bookings Web: www.mynextcharityevent.webs.com Are you a local solo or group performer?

Would you like the chance to perform at the Rainbow of Hope fundraiser?

If you’re interested, please contact Helen on 01480 896602 or mynextcharityevent@gmail.com

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Prize

The Villager Prize Crossword

£25

Across 1 Denied (7) 5 Not ours (5) 8 Amazing (9) 9 Spot (3) 10 Nap (5) 12 Replies (7) 13 Nearly (13) 15 Mum’s mother (7) 17 Healed (5) 19 Lodging house (3) 20 Ethereal (9) 22 Dizzy (5) 23 Convent (7)

and send to the address below before

18th April 2014 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name:

Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs D Taylor from St Neots For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com 28



Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page

Down 1 Disagreements (5) 2 Supporter (3) 3 Used for cleaning (7) 4 Insistence (13) 5 Sailboat (5) 6 Vests, boxers (9) 7 Fulfil (7) 11 Made clear (9) 13 Fishing (7) 14 Sale by bidding (7) 16 Covered with fine powder (5) 18 Hold up (5) 21 Employ (3)

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Books Design Consultancy

BOOK REVIEW

By Bruce Edwards

Mistletoe Interiors Emma Rees 07885 135478 info@mistletoeinteriors.co.uk www.mistletoeinteriors.co.uk

The Lives Of Stella Bain Anita Shreve Pub: Little Brown h/b £16.99 With the constant barrage of grim nostalgia emanating from all quarters as the 1914-18 war continues to be brought back to mind, it isn’t surprising that well-placed authors seize on the fervour.

Opening the story in a field hospital in Marne in 1916, we find our Stella, injured, perplexed, and disorientated, but recoverable. In due course she helps nurse the torrent of wounded men, drives ambulances - and suddenly, is faced with the wreck of her former lover from a former existence. The consequences are deeply troubling, with a memory loss and psychological disasters. Chancing her luck back in London she finds - and becomes attached to - a Doctor who is able to treat her. Stella metamorphoses into the real woman, Etna, legally Mrs Van Tassel, an American citizen.

A strange artistic talent brings her a new career - but there’s still Nicodemus, her husband’s child, to be reconciled with his mother after her absence in France and there’s peace to be made with her former lover. How complex can it get? But Shreve’s ability to weave intricate stories in simplistic and conversational fashion is remarkable, and she’s an old hand with this type of plot. Her knack has not deserted her, despite bringing rape, divorce proceedings and the blessings of a new relationship into play. Maybe there’s a strange inevitability about the way the warp and weft of the tale creates a tapestry of light-hearted delight over the darker background but it is one that really works.

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